“One week more to work out old clues and try to find new ones is what the police now have before them in the Kinrade murder case. They had hoped that something would be brought to light at the inquest, last night, which would give them more definite information to work on than anything they have yet been able to secure, but the adjournment, without taking any evidence leaves them just where they were. They admit that the adjournment was the only course possible in view of the condition of the health of Mrs. and Miss Kinrade.
“Provincial Detective Miller had an interview with Miss Kinrade in Toronto yesterday, and found her more quiet than at any previous time. He returned to Hamilton this morning to work out some details of the case, and in speaking of it said he was quite hopeful of obtaining an ultimate and complete clearing up of the mystery, although it might take some time. He is following up every possible clue, and, while he has his own theory, he is taking no chance in neglecting any other.
Jurors Talk
“Fifteen jurymen and Coroner McNichol did their best last night to ascertain why Crown Attorney Washington consented to a delay of one week in the inquest into the murder of Miss Ethel C. Kinrade, which took place a week ago this afternoon. The inquest was opened last in the Police Court in No. 3 Police Station.
“The jurymen were all on hand, the Coroner was on time, 8:15 o’clock, and in addition to the principals Inspector McMahon, Constable Robert Lentz, a dozen newspaper men and three backbenchers were in the court room.
“At 8:20, Constable Lentz called for order and read the familiar form – ‘Oyez! Oyez!’ etc. The jury was polled and the fifteen answered ‘Present!’
“There was an air of expectancy for a moment, and then Coroner McNichol started the proceedings.
“ ‘Gentlemen, I’m sorry, we will be unable to proceed to take evidence tonight, for I think the evidence we could get from the witnesses at present available might be very valuable to the police in helping them to get at the bottom of this affair.
“” ‘I have a certificate from Dr. James White, to the effect that Mrs. and Miss Kinrade will be unable to attend to give evidence for at least a week. We simply have to accept it. I would suggest at the expiration of this week we meet again, and I hope they may be able to attend. It is no use going on now. One reason that the adjournment is asked for is that the Crown Attorney prefers to have the evidence taken in a certain order, as it will then be of benefit in cross-examining the following witnesses.’
“R.B. Spera, foreman of the jury, asked if it was necessary that the adjournment should be made for so long a time.
“ ‘Yes,’ replied the Coroner, ‘but the officials are anxious to have it go on at once.
“ ‘Where are we next week,’ asked Juror John Wells, if the doctor gives another certificate?’
“ ‘We will have to discuss that then,’ said the Coroner.
“ Is this adjournment not a handicap on the police in their work?’ asked Foreman Spera.
“ ‘I think it is,’ said Coroner McNichol.
“ ‘I understand that these ladies have left the city,’ remarked Juror Byrne.
“ ‘Only temporarily,’ said the Coroner.
“ ‘How do we know that?’ queried Juror Brown.
“ Well the Crown Attorney is satisfied , as they have been served with subpoenas,’ patiently explained the Coroner.
“ ‘Did the Crown give them permission to go?’ queried Juror Jas. Reding.
“ ‘I do not know,’ said the coroner.
“Juror J.J. Guy wanted to know if evidence taken by the Crown Attorney or some person appointed by him would be acceptable to the inquest.
“ ‘No evidence can be considered except what is given in this court,’ Dr. McNichol remarked in a weary tone
“Juror W. Ellis remarked at this juncture that there was no need to worry about the appearance of the ladies on account of the good detective force in Hamilton and Ontario.
“Foreman Spera wanted to know if Monday was too soon to continue the inquiry.
“ ‘The certificate will hold good then as now,’ explained the coroner.
“ ‘If that was my sister I would want to get at it as soon as possible.’ Remarked Juror Wilson.
“ ‘Is there anything to prevent them leaving Toronto?’ Juror Wells wanted to know
“ ‘If they made any attempts to avoid the inquest, they would likely be detained, as they are material witnesses.’ stated the coroner.
“This closed the discussion, and Coroner McNichol explained there was nothing to do but adjourn for a week, and this was accordingly done.”1
“Another Week at Working Details : Police Have Little to Report in the Kinrade Case, But They Are Quite Hopeful : The Virginia Developments Do Not Change the Aspect of the Case Much”
Hamilton Times. March 04, 1909
The friends of Miss Florence Kinrade were ware of her trips to the United States during 1908, but their impression was that “Flossie’ had been hired as a soloist in the Manchester Presbyterian Church.
However a reporters with a newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia did some investigating:
“Miss KInrade first appeared in public at the Orpheum theater in Portsmouth last summer, and was known as Miss Mildred Dale, She was stopping with friends at Virginia Beach, where she occasionally sang, and somebody who heard her recommended her to Manager Butler, of the Orpheum.
“He prevailed on her to sing the illustrated songs at the cosy little family theater, and she soon became a great favorite with the Portsmouth people. Later in the season, a company of amateurs was formed to present light comedy sketches at the Orpheum, and she consented to try her hand at this work. Although it was her first effort in this direction, she showed ability, and always appeared to advantage in everything that was presented. She continued with the Orpheum until last fall, when she returned to her home in Hamilton, Ont. and later came back to Portsmouth and was a member of the same company of amateurs that put on light sketches at the Pastime, another family theater. She left Portsmouth for her home in Hamilton a short while before Christmas. During her entire stay here, she was held in the highest esteem by the best people of Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. It was not until she returned home that her real name was known, except by a few of her most intimate friends.”1
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